Two dead after avalanche in Hemsedal as group members rescue each other

Two people died and several were injured after an avalanche struck a group of seven skiers in Hemsedal, Norway, on Monday, local authorities reported. Survivors from the group played a critical role in rescuing one another from the snow masses, according to the municipality’s chief medical officer.

The avalanche near Halsane was reported just after 11:00 AM, prompting a large-scale rescue operation involving volunteers, avalanche dogs, air ambulances, and rescue helicopters. By noon, all seven members of the group had been located, though two—a Norwegian woman in her 20s and a Swedish man in his 30s, both Hemsedal residents—did not survive.

Camilla Underland, Hemsedal’s chief medical officer and part of the emergency response team, praised the group’s actions. “The minutes pass very quickly in these situations,” she told Dagbladet. “Even when you trigger the big red button for an avalanche alert, it takes time to get people to the scene. That’s why it’s essential for those already there to have the knowledge and equipment to perform companion rescue, dig people out, and start CPR. That’s exactly what they did here.”

Three others in the group were partially or fully buried but were rescued by their companions, Underland said. Despite injuries, they also assisted in saving one another. “The effort they made saved lives,” she added.

The area had an orange avalanche warning—indicating considerable risk—on the second day of Easter. While weather conditions during the rescue were stable, with good visibility and steady winds, Underland emphasized the critical window for survival. “The longer you’re buried, the lower your chances. Avalanche victims often face overwhelming forces—either fatal injuries from the impact or suffocation and hypothermia if trapped.”

Underland, an avid skier herself, noted the psychological importance of the group’s response. “For those involved, it’s crucial to feel they made a difference and did everything possible,” she said. In Hemsedal, a tight-knit community of around 2,700, she added that the tragedy has deeply affected residents, though local solidarity remains strong. “Everyone knows everyone here. When something like this happens, many are involved—but there’s also tremendous support.”